‘The View’ begins search to replace Vieira

updated 8:26 a.m. ET April 10, 2006

NEW YORK - The search is already on for Meredith Vieira's replacement on the daytime chat show "The View," with chemistry and good humor among creator Barbara Walters' job requirements for a new panelist.

"I think every agent in America is calling," Walters told The Associated Press on Friday.

Vieira was selected Thursday to be Katie Couric's successor on NBC's "Today" show. She tearfully announced the job change on "The View," although she will remain on the show through next month.

Vieira's exit will cause no changes to the show's format, Walters said. The goal is to have Vieira's replacement in time for the new television season in September.

With her news background, Vieira often brought the most substance to the show, particularly on those days when Walters was not on the air with Joy Behar, Star Jones Reynolds and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. But Walters said she isn't necessarily looking for someone who worked in news to fill the slot.

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"Chemistry is important and I think humor is important," she said. "We're looking for somebody who can do the interviews and also the hot topics at the beginning of the show."

The daytime show has survived cast changes in the past, most recently when Hasselbeck replaced Lisa Ling. The hosts are up for a Daytime Emmy award later this month, although they've been poking fun on the air at their penchant for getting nominated and never winning.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien, "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress Patricia Heaton and actress Mimi Rogers have already appeared in some reports about potential successors to Vieira.

"I've seen rumor after rumor after rumor," Walters said.

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